Having trouble concentrating on studying? Don't worry: it also happens to the top of the class. Maybe you just need to change your study habits, try a new technique, or come up with a truly effective study plan that allows you to unplug whenever you need to. With the right preparation, focusing will be a breeze.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Maintain Focus
Step 1. Establish a schedule
If you're planning a long night of study, come up with a specific plan. Aim to work for 30-60 minutes in a row, with breaks of 5-10 minutes in between. The brain needs a break to recharge. It is not a question of laziness: the breaks give him the opportunity to assimilate information.
Also try to change subjects about once an hour to avoid getting bored and saturating your mind. Overdoing it with just one subject will send the brain into autopilot mode. New topics will awaken the mind and motivation
Step 2. Take time to worry or think about other things
Sometimes it is difficult to study because the real world keeps slipping into the mind, for better or for worse. You may feel that you cannot exert any control over your thoughts, but in reality you do. Make it easy for yourself to think about that problem or girl you like only once you're done. Knowing that at some point you will finish studying and have time to devote to your private life will give you comfort. Incidentally, when the time comes, the need to think about a certain concern may have gone away by itself.
- If you start to notice that the mind wanders elsewhere, put it back in its place immediately. Take a second to shake your thoughts off and start studying again. You control your mind. You decide what to think and you are always the only one who can block extraneous thoughts.
- Keep a pen and paper handy to write down anything that comes to your mind as you study. Take advantage of breaks to deal with these commitments or thoughts.
Step 3. Vary your learning method
Imagine you've just finished reading 20 pages of a book. The last thing you should do is read 20 pages of another manual right away. Instead, take a quiz with a bunch of flashcards. Make diagrams to help you remember economic statistics. Listen to audio tracks in French. Study using different skills and practicing other sections of the mind. You will certainly be less bored.
It will also be easier for your brain to process information. Alternating the skills you use helps the mind to assimilate concepts faster and to hold them back. Time will flow faster and you will remember better what you have learned. You'll kill two birds with one stone
Step 4. Reward yourself
Sometimes a small reward is needed to keep motivation high. If good grades aren't that exciting, think about something else that will allow you to focus on your study, like some treats to enjoy in front of the TV, a trip to the mall, a massage, or a nap. What would be worth studying for?
If possible, involve your parents. Could they help you by giving you an incentive? Maybe, if you get higher grades, they might exempt you from a household chore you don't like or temporarily increase your pocket money. Ask them if they would be willing to create some sort of rewards program - trying doesn't hurt
Step 5. If necessary, return to a topic
Have you ever had a pile of paperwork to fill out, only at some point you got stuck because some questions weren't clear? When studying, sometimes the same happens. Know when to go back and clarify your ideas. If you don't know the basics of a topic, don't try to tackle more difficult content. You have to learn gradually.
If you read a question that asks "What was George Washington's stance on the Boston Tea Party?", You obviously need to know who George Washington is. Find out about this before continuing
Step 6. Make the study more dynamic
Teachers know this, but they rarely say it: reading can be boring, especially if it is an unwelcome subject. To make studying more effective and facilitate concentration, use dynamic reading techniques. They will keep the brain from wandering, so you will make sure that the grades will always be high. Here are some tactics:
- Ask yourself questions as you read.
- Look up from the page and summarize what you've read aloud.
Step 7. Take notes on the concepts, characters, storylines and events described
Use as few words and short examples as possible to explain the meaning. When taking notes, use abbreviations. Write down page numbers, titles, and book authors if you need this information for the bibliography or for another reason.
Create a quiz while taking notes or reading: you will use it later to review and see if everything is clear
Step 8. Go on the internet and immediately get back to studying after the break
During the break, make efficient use of the time you spend online. Go to Facebook now. Turn on your mobile and read messages or check missed calls. Don't waste time responding right away, unless it's an emergency. Make the most of everything you love to do in your free time, but only for a few minutes. Then, stop thinking about it and start studying again. Being connected will make you feel a little better, even if you've only used the internet or looked at your cell phone for a few minutes.
The little breaks will energize you and work wonders for concentration. Maybe you think they can distract you and take you away from the established path, but in the end you will be able to do more things. Of course, it is vital to use the break wisely
Part 2 of 4: Creating the Right Environment to Focus
Step 1. Choose the right place
It must be quiet and conducive to studying. Whether it's your bedroom or a library, it should be a quiet, distraction-free environment so you can focus. You should avoid television, pets, and any other factors that could distract you from books. Also, you need a comfortable chair and good lighting. Your back, neck and eyes shouldn't get tired. Pain is also distracting.
- For example, don't study in front of the television, or you will only do your homework when the commercials are on. Watch TV or listen to the radio to take a short break, just like taking a few minutes to go for a glass of water or get a breath of fresh air.
- To study, sit in front of a table or desk. Avoid the bed, except when reading sitting on the bedspread, leaning back and in good lighting. The important thing is not to get under the covers, otherwise you could fall asleep. Furthermore, you will begin to associate the bedroom with the study, which is absolutely avoided.
Step 2. Prepare everything you need to study
Pencils, pens, highlighters, and books should all be on hand so you don't get distracted while you study. If necessary, organize the study area so that clutter does not hinder the mind. You shouldn't have any reason to get up, interrupting the study.
The study area should be ready just in case, in case you need anything. All the books, notebooks and notes you need (even the lesson plan) should be close at hand. This system is essential to study successfully. If necessary for learning, use your laptop, otherwise keep it elsewhere
Step 3. Have a snack handy
Try to choose ready-to-use foods that you can easily substitute, such as nuts, blueberries, strawberries, apple wedges or pieces of dark chocolate. Also have a bottle of water by your side. Don't overdo it with coffee, teas containing stimulants, or energy drinks, even when you stay up late. They will inevitably make you break down after a short energy spike, so you will eventually feel very tired. At that point, pinching or slapping won't be enough to keep you awake.
Do you want to eat the so-called "superfoods"? Research shows that blueberries, spinach, squash, broccoli, dark chocolate, and fish are great for the brain, so they can help you study
Step 4. Write down your study goals
In one day, what do you want or need to accomplish? What should you do to have a satisfying day, proud of having achieved the results you set out to achieve? These are your goals and they will give you a goal to work towards when you study.
Make sure they are doable. If you have to read 100 pages over the course of a week, divide the effort so that you read 20 pages a day - don't step too far. Keep your time limits in mind too. If you only have one hour free one evening, prioritize the most important task
Step 5. Make sure you turn off your cell phone and other electronic devices
This way you will avoid having temptations that have nothing to do with studying and you will focus on your schedule. Use the computer if necessary for educational purposes, otherwise it will be just a temptation. As for the phone, set it to airplane mode, unless you need it for an emergency.
There are sites and software that block web pages and programs that are more difficult to resist, such as SelfRestraint, SelfControl and Think. Try to understand what your weaknesses are, for example Facebook, and if it is appropriate to block certain sites during study hours. Don't worry: you can unlock them at the end of the study session
Step 6. Try listening to some background music at a low volume
Music promotes concentration for many people, while for others it is not as effective. Give it a try and try to figure out if it's right for you. Background music can distract you and make you want to be out enjoying yourself.
- Keep in mind that the ideal music for studying may not match the one you enjoy listening to in your free time. Generally, it's best to choose the one you don't know, because recognizing a song can distract you and make you tempted to sing. Experiment with listening to other genres to see if this method could help you, without taking you away from studying.
- Try using a background sound generator, it might help you study - it often makes pleasant natural sounds like birds chirping, rain, running water and so on. There are several free tools available online.
Part 3 of 4: Facilitating Concentration
Step 1. Listen to your body
You must know that throughout the day everyone has times when they feel full of energy and moments of sluggishness. When does it happen to you? If possible, study at times when you feel most energetic. You will be able to focus better and retain the information you acquire. Doing so at other times would be a losing battle.
Someone is already awake and active in the morning, full of energy and ready to face the day. Others manage to perform more in the evening after charging their batteries for a while. Whatever your case, listen to your body and study at the most favorable times of the day
Step 2. Get enough sleep
The benefits of sleep are innumerable. Not only do they regulate hormones and synthesize information, they also help you get strong for the next day. In fact, trying to concentrate in moments of fatigue is similar to doing it while intoxicated. If you can't concentrate, this could be the reason.
Most people need 7-9 hours of sleep a night, some more, some less. When you don't have to set the alarm, how many hours do you like to sleep? Try to get adequate rest each night, if necessary by going to bed a little earlier than usual
Step 3. Eat healthy
After all, you are what you eat. If you have a healthy diet, your mind will also be in shape. Try to consume fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, dairy products, nuts (use this as a substitute for potato chips and oily confectionery), and healthy fats, such as those found in dark chocolate and olive oil. A healthy diet will give you more energy, so your intellectual faculties will also benefit.
Avoid processed foods, such as refined bread, potatoes, flour, fat, and sugar. They are nutrient-free. Also avoid sugary drinks, which can make you collapse in class or when studying
Step 4. Take control of your thoughts
After all, only you can motivate yourself. If you convince yourself that you can concentrate, you will be halfway there. Take the bull by the horns and start thinking positively - you can and you will. Nothing can stop you, except you.
Try the "rule of 5". Before stopping, plan to do 5 more things or study for another 5 minutes. Once you're done, force yourself to do 5 more things or continue for another 5 minutes. Segmenting commitments to break down into shorter intervals will make it easier for those with a low attention span to study. In this way the mental performance will be greater
Step 5. Do the least pleasant tasks first
With a fresh mind, you can make the most of your concentration because it will be at its peak. Learn the most important and difficult concepts, then work them out before moving on to simpler (less demanding) details, but still necessary to understand a topic. If you do the easier things right away, in the meantime you will worry about the more difficult ones and stress yourself out, reducing productivity and the ability to focus.
That said, avoid getting stranded while reading. Similarly, don't get trapped and don't feel defeated when faced with problems or traces of difficult themes. Sometimes the most complex part of a task can consume too much energy and drain your time. So try to set yourself limits and, if absolutely necessary, adjust yourself to move on to easier topics
Part 4 of 4: Using Technology to Your Advantage
Step 1. Give alpha waves a try to see if they promote concentration and memory, whether it's for studying or other activities
Search for videos with binaural beats on YouTube. Remember to wear headphones to listen to them. If they work for your specific case, they will work wonders!
Listen to them while you study. You should set them at a low to medium volume for good results. Prolonged use is not harmful
Step 2. Follow any tips you found in this article
Together with a well-defined study program, healthy eating, rest and many other beneficial factors, this journey can improve memory. Studying is very important for training as individuals. Having good concentration is a skill that always comes in handy in life.
Step 3. After hearing the binaural tones, observe how you react to ambient sounds
After a few hours of binaural sounds, your hearing will need a few minutes to readjust to the normal ambient sounds of a room. If you find yourself hearing distorted, it is perfectly normal. Many other strange effects can occur with binaural tones, but in general they are effective.
- It is normal to have a headache for about 10-25 minutes: the brain is adjusting to the beats. If it doesn't pass after 30 minutes, it's best to exclude this technique from your habits.
- To make the sound more pleasant, you could accompany it with music. Together they can further stimulate concentration.
Advice
- Underline important words and phrases. Review them several times to fix them in your mind. Close the books and repeat them aloud or by writing them down.
- Establish daily commitments to make sure you arrive prepared for the exam.
- Try to understand what your study habits are, such as rereading notes or previous pages of a book before starting to study new topics.
- Convince yourself that you can get a good grade. When you study, don't think about anything else. The important thing is not to wear yourself out on books and to study efficiently.
- Tenacity is the secret to achieving medium and long-term goals. Nurture your talents, pursue your dreams to become good at what you are passionate about, start developing your skills, believe in it and give it your all to shape your skills.
- It's helpful to think about what would happen if you get a bad grade. Think about all the consequences and let them motivate you to do your best.
- When you take a break, you can eat fruit or nuts, drink fresh juice (pour it into a drip glass or thermos) or water so you don't feel the pangs of hunger. This will help keep you awake and full, but not too full.
- Periodically set goals and work towards achieving them. Always remember that you can do it, if you really believe in it. Your dreams and hopes can come true by setting goals and reaching them step by step (university, career, family). Daydream, imagine what you could do in the future.
- Remember that pleasure comes after duty. Postpone self-gratification, which is short-term, to make room for the accomplishment of larger, longer-term goals (dreams and plans to improve your life).
- If you can't study at home, go to the library, where you will often also find vending machines for a snack. During exam periods, some stay open late.
- The room in which you study should be well lit so as not to strain your eyes.
- Set yourself a goal or a challenge. This will help you focus and work hard to cross the finish line. Ignore your cell phone or computer and study for 30 minutes. At the end of the half hour, you can take a 10 minute break and then start studying again. Determine how much time you can realistically spend studying and take regular breaks.
- Don't read and reread something. Read a text slowly enough to be able to reflect and grasp its true meaning. Once you understand this, try to express what he or she wants to say and memorize it. If you can't summarize what you read, you probably haven't fully understood it. Read it a second time and try to understand how the sentences are linked. You have to grasp the concept. Repeat it in your own words based on what you understand - you can do it in your head or in a low voice if it helps you focus. Synthesizing and reworking ideas forces you to confront your understanding of the topic.
- Before studying, take a refreshing shower - it will help you relax and feel clean.
- Try making some concept maps. To make studying easier, you can also use post-its and colored markers.
- If you can't concentrate around the house, go to the library.
- The library is ideal for those who find it difficult to study at home, especially since the silence favors concentration.
- Prepare a study program for each subject. Often some subjects are more challenging than others, so adjust accordingly. You should spend less time on the easy ones.
Warnings
- Do not study for too many consecutive hours, as the brain will not be able to hold up for prolonged periods. Eventually you will start thinking about other things and will not be able to concentrate on the subjects of study.
- If you have a headache, take a break. It usually happens when the eyes get tired for a long time.
- Do not remain seated for many hours. Move. Don't be sedentary. It is harmful to health.
